USC quarterback Mark Sanchez suffered a bone bruise in his left knee against Oregon and "has a chance to play" this week against Arizona State, Coach Pete Carroll said Sunday.

Sanchez was injured in the third quarter of USC’s 44-10 victory when he was sacked by former Mission Viejo High teammate Nick Re

LOS ANGELES — Oregon State didn’t blindside USC nine days ago. Pete Carroll saw it coming.

He saw it six months ago.

He saw Ohio State on the schedule. He knew what that meant. The hype machine would roll into town, and to the victor would go considerable spoils, namely the No. 1 ranking.

And he saw a tricky visit to Oregon State 12 days

LOS ANGELES — Each of the past two years, mighty Southern California was knocked off by a Pac-10 underdog. Each time, the Trojans bounced back with some impressive victories — and then lost again.

They’ve already had their first shock of the season, in their conference opener at Oregon State last week. Another loss almost certainly would knock USC

Around the nation this week, thousands of high school and college football coaches will gather their teams for a few final words and try to convince them to ignore the long odds against beating a superior team.

Free of charge, here’s a suggested closing line: "Just go pitch a perfect game."

Essentially, that’s what Oregon State did last

Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers ran, spun and twisted his way to 186 yards against USC.

Next up for the ninth-ranked Trojans: an Oregon team averaging 309 rushing yards a game.

"In areas we need to shore up, they are extremely capable and strong," USC Coach Pete Carroll said today during his weekly news conference.

Oregon, 4-1 o